Check the route before moving the piece
A door can fall inside a movement circle while a wall still separates it from the character. A nearby destination does not establish a clear direct route. Before moving the piece, agree where the character can pass and how that route is costed under your table’s rules.
DMGrid documents circular walking and running ranges, a distance ruler and board tools. This guide does not assign obstacle detection or automatic pathfinding to those circles. It proposes a manual check using an original geometry example.
Four units straight, eight along the proposed route
On paper, put start A at (0,0) and door B at (4,0). Draw a vertical wall at x=2 from y=−1 to y=1. The straight A–B segment measures four units but crosses the wall.
For this example, the table proposes passing through (0,2) and (4,2) before reaching B:
| Segment | From and to | Geometric length |
|---|---|---|
| First | (0,0) → (0,2) | 2 units |
| Second | (0,2) → (4,2) | 4 units |
| Third | (4,2) → (4,0) | 2 units |
This route totals 2 + 4 + 2 = 8 units. It is not claimed to be the shortest route, and these units are not assigned to feet or metres in a particular game. The example shows why four units in a straight line do not describe this detour.
The example wall has no thickness. There are no extra doors, difficult terrain or diagonal rules to resolve. If your map adds those conditions, review their effects rather than reusing eight as a universal answer.
Three checks before treating movement as complete
Scale. Confirm what one square or unit represents on this map. Do not mix the preparation drawing with a different board scale.
Available passage. Ask whether every segment is clear and valid for the character. Measuring a distance does not permit passing through a wall or confirm an open door.
Agreed cost. Apply your table’s rules to the actual route. If the available movement is insufficient, decide where the character can reach or what alternative they propose. Do not place them at the destination simply because a circle covers it.
The ruler can help discuss a visible distance. The paper route and segmented sum remain actions in this example; we do not promise DMGrid automatically stores that path or deducts movement from a sheet.
Bring one specific question to the table
A short note could read: “Door inside circular range; direct route blocked. Confirm detour before moving.” After resolving it, update the appropriate position. Do not confuse the proposal with an already completed action.
Foundry’s measurement and templates guide and Shard’s adventuring guide were consulted on 25 October 2026 as tabletop-tool references. Their automation is not attributed to DMGrid.
Status and next step
DMGrid is a paid Windows beta that keeps campaigns on the computer for offline use. Its public facts describe a board, maps, notes, Player View and table tools. They do not promise automatic rule adjudication.
Review DMGrid’s recordings and terms before buying or downloading with a licence. To prepare a session, try the fictional drawing on paper and agree what your group should check when a nearby destination requires going around an obstacle.